Multi-Directional Exercise Platform

ABSTRACT

A multi-directional exercise platform includes a frame, a lateral belt drive assembly, a lateral belt assembly circulation track supported by the frame, and a lateral belt assembly movably secured to the lateral belt assembly circulation track. At least one sensor is configured to obtain direction and velocity data. The lateral belt drive assembly includes a plurality of lateral belt units. The lateral belt drive assembly is configured to cause rotation of the lateral belt assembly around the lateral belt assembly circulation track according to the direction data obtained by the sensor. A processor, memory, and program instructions may be in data communication with the sensor for determining an operator&#39;s position and, subsequently, causing movement of the lateral belt drive assembly and lateral belt assembly.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, moreparticularly, to a multi-directional exercise platform that allows aperson to walk in any direction while the platform maintains the persongenerally in a center position. In other words, a user may walk on theplatform in the manner of a treadmill with sensors determining adirection of movement and actuating respective belt assemblies asnecessary to generally maintain the user's position on the platform.

A treadmill is a common exercise device has a movable track that movescontinuously as a person walks in a forward direction on the track. Inother words, a treadmill is essentially a conveyor belt moving towardthe person walking thereon. The track is movable in this singulardirection and the user must conform to walking in a linear manner towardthe oncoming track. The user is confined to walking a straight line andis prevented from moving in selected non-linear directions as he wouldif walking naturally outdoors in an open area (e.g. a park) or on arunning track. In addition, the speed of a treadmill is typicallymanually adjusted rather than automatically adjusted based on the speedof a user.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for treadmills thatprovide omni-directional functionalities, such as CA 2263592. The '592patent includes a control means physically or electronically connectedto a user that is configured to determine the user's position andorientation. Although assumably effective for its intended purpose, the'592 patent does not allow complete freedom to walk and move in anydirection unimpeded by connection to a control means and does notdetermine a velocity of movement in the direction of movement.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a multi-directional exerciseplatform that allows a person to walk in any direction while theplatform maintains the person generally in a center position. Further,it would be desirable to have a multi-directional exercise platform thatincludes a drive roller gear motor and assemblies to rotate individualbelt units around a track when a user is walking in a direction parallelto the track and that rotates the belt units laterally across the trackwhen a user is walking in a direction perpendicular to the track andthat operates the belt units both around and across the track when theuser is oriented partially parallel and partially perpendicular relativeto the track. In addition, it would be desirable to have amulti-directional exercise platform that includes at least one sensorfor determining the position and velocity of a user on the track.

SUMMARY

A multi-directional exercise platform according to the present inventionincludes a frame, a lateral belt drive assembly, a lateral belt assemblycirculation track supported by the frame, and a lateral belt assemblymovably secured to the lateral belt assembly circulation track. At leastone sensor is configured to obtain direction and velocity data. Thelateral belt drive assembly includes a plurality of lateral belt units.The lateral belt drive assembly is configured to cause rotation of thelateral belt assembly around the lateral belt assembly circulation trackaccording to the direction data obtained by the sensor. A processor,memory, and program instructions may be in data communication with thesensor for determining an operator's position and, subsequently,movement of the lateral belt drive assembly.

A general object of the present invention is to provide amulti-directional exercise platform that enables a user to walk in anydirection atop the platform while being maintained in a general centerarea thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-directionalexercise platform, as aforesaid, having one or more sensors configuredto determine a present direction and velocity of a user on the platformand to communicate direction and velocity data to respective motors andbelt movement assemblies.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a multi-directionalexercise platform, as aforesaid, that does not impede or restrictmovements of a user with manually connected controllers.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a multi-directionalexercise platform, as aforesaid, that rotates individual belt unitsaround a track when a user is walking in a direction parallel to thetrack.

A further object of this invention is to provide a multi-directionalexercise platform, as aforesaid, that rotates the belt units laterallyacross the track when a user is walking in a direction perpendicular tothe track.

A still further object of this invention is to provide amulti-directional exercise platform, as aforesaid, that operates thebelt units both around and across the track when the user is orientedpartially parallel and partially perpendicular relative to the track.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional exercise platformaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise platform as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise platform as in FIG. 1 withthe individual sections removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the exercise platform as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise platform as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6a is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a lateral belt driveassembly removed from the platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6b is a side view of the lateral belt drive assembly as in FIG. 6a;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lateral belt drive assembly as in FIG. 6a;

FIG. 8 is an isolated exploded view of a drive unit removed from thelateral belt drive assembly shown in FIG. 6 b;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drive unit removed from the lateralbelt drive assembly shown in FIG. 6 b;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the drive unit as in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral beltassembly illustrated with a drive roller assembly in one configuration;

FIG. 11A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive rollerassembly taken from FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral beltassembly as in FIG. 11 illustrated with a drive roller assembly inanother configuration;

FIG. 12A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive rollerassembly taken from FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a belt section of a lateral beltassembly as in FIG. 12 illustrated with a drive roller assembly in stillanother configuration;

FIG. 13A is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a drive rollerassembly taken from FIG. 13;

FIG. 14A is a side view of the lateral belt assembly as in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14B is an end view of the lateral belt assembly as in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C is a section view taken along line 14C-14C of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 14D is a section view taken along line 14D-14D of FIG. 14B;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A multi-directional exercise platform according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 1-15 of the accompanying drawings. The exercise platform 1000includes a frame 1100, a lateral belt drive assembly 1200, a lateralbelt assembly circulation track 1300, a lateral belt assembly 1400, andoperator position and velocity sensors 1500. FIG. 1 shows a perspectiveview of the platform 1000, and in particular the lateral belt assembly1400. FIG. 2 shows the platform 1000 from the side, showing the lateralbelt drive assembly 1400.

With reference to FIG. 3, the frame 1100 includes vertical supportmembers 1110, horizontal support members 1120, and track stabilizers1130. The horizontal support members 1120 may be suspended a verticaldistance V above the ground in order to allow the lateral belt assembly1400 to rotate fully around the track 1300. As is discussed in greaterdetail below, the horizontal support members 1120 support the lateralbelt assembly circulation track 1300 and the lateral belt drive assembly1200 via the lateral belt assembly drive frame 1250. Track stabilizers1130 may attach to the horizontal support members 1120 and may besecured between the circulation track 1300 and the lateral belt assemblydrive frame 1250 to hold the track 1300 in place. The track stabilizers1130 may be any support that is sufficient to maintain the track in theposition necessary for operation of the platform 1000. Sensors 1500 maybe secured to the tops of the vertical support members 1110 such thatthey can determine the direction and velocity of an operator on theexercise platform 1000.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the lateral belt drive assembly 1200. The assembly1200 drives the operation of the lateral belt assembly 1200 around thetrack 1300 and may be equipped with a set of motors 1210 a, 1210 b, adrive roller chain 1220, a drive roller unit position shaft 1230, and aplurality of drive roller units 1240 housed inside of a lateral beltassembly drive frame 1250. The lateral belt assembly drive frame 1250may be rigidly attached to the machine frame 1100 for holding the rollerunits 1240 in place.

FIGS. 8-10 show an exemplary embodiment of a drive roller unit 1240.With reference to FIG. 8 which shows an exploded view of a drive rollerunit 1240, each unit 1240 may have a frame bracket 1241, a driveposition worm gear assembly 1242, a drive wheel chain drive sprocket1243, a wheel position bushing 1244, a wheel position drive shaft 1245,a drive position bushing 1246, and a housing 1247 for accommodating adrive wheel 1248 and a plurality of gears 1249 for rotating the drivewheel 1248. The underside of the frame bracket 1241 may be equipped withthe drive position worm gear assembly 1242 which may include a worm 1242a that meshes with a worm gear 1242 b, which has a hollow center. Thewheel drive shaft 1245 extends through the hollow center and the drivewheel chain drive sprocket 1243 is secured at the top, as shown in FIG.9. The wheel position bushing 1244 is thus engaged inside of the driveposition worm gear 1242 b such that operation of the worm gear 1242 bcauses the housing 1247 to rotate, as described in greater detail below.The drive position busing 1246 is pressed into the frame bracket 1241,thus securing the housing 1247 to the frame 1241.

The drive wheel 1248 may be located between arms 1247 a, 1247 b of thehousing 1247 via a pin that extends through a hole in the center of thedrive wheel 1248 and is secured at each end to the arms 1247 a, 1247 bso that the drive wheel 1248 can freely rotate on the pin. The gears1248 inside the housing 1247 work in conjunction with a drive rollergear motor 1210 a to turn the drive wheel 1248 as discussed below. Thedrive wheel 1248 may be a compressible urethane wheel that drives thelateral belt 1410 via friction. However, other materials may beacceptable.

The lateral drive belt assembly 1200 may be comprised of a plurality ofdrive roller units 1240, and it may be such that a drive roller unit1240 is provided for each individual lateral belt section 1410 that issecured along the top of the circulation track 1300. FIG. 6 illustratesa lateral drive belt assembly 1200 having nine drive roller units 1240,though more or less may be appropriate. Each of the drive roller units1240 may be secured in the lateral drive frame 1250 via the framebracket 1241 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. The roller units 1240 may bepositioned such that a drive roller unit position shaft 1230 can extendlengthwise through the worm 1242 a of each of the roller units 1240. Oneend of the shaft 1230 may be attached to a drive roller position gearmotor 1210 b which operates to rotate the shaft 1230 in response tomovement of an operator. As will be discussed in greater detail below,the shaft 1230 causes the worm 1242 a to rotate, and as the worm 1242 arotates, the worm gear 1242 b rotates, causing the housing 1247 torotate the drive wheel 1248 into the correct angle position.

The drive roller chain 1220 (shown in FIG. 7) may be provided foroperation of the drive rollers 1248. The chain 1220 may be linkedbetween each of the roller units 1240 as illustrated in FIG. 7 to allowfor uniform rotation of the drive wheels 1248 of each of the rollerunits 1240. The chain 1220 may be wound around the drive wheel chaindrive sprocket 1243 a and the wheel drive idler sprocket 1243 b (shownin FIG. 9). The drive roller chain 1220 may be further attached to thedrive roller gear motor 1210 a which, in operation, causes the chain torotate thereby resulting in rotation of the drive wheels 1248. Althoughreference is made herein to a chain, it shall be understood that thechain may be replaced by any appropriate means for operating the driverollers 1248 such as a cable, belt, et cetera, and that “chain” is usedherein to encompass these other force-transfer devices as well.

As has already been described and is discussed in more detail below, asthe sensors 1500 may be configured to determine a change in the positionand velocity of an operator. The sensors 1500 may be communication withthe drive roller gear motor 1210 a and the drive roller position gearmotor 1210 b. As the sensors 1500 sense a change in the direction and/orvelocity of an operator, the drive position gear motor 1210 b may causethe drive roller units position shaft 1230 to rotate thus causing ashift in the position of the drive wheels 1248. Movement of the operatoras sensed by the sensors 1500 may further cause the drive roller gearmotor 1210 a to operate the drive roller chain 1220 thus causingrotation of the drive wheels 1248. Operation of the drive rollerassembly 1240 in conjunction with the sensors 1500 is described indetail below with respect to FIG. 15 and according to an example.

The lateral belt assembly circulation track 1300 may be a generallyovular track for guiding the lateral belt assembly 1400 around thelateral belt drive assembly 1200. The track may be secured to trackstabilizers 1130 at the top and bottom to prevent the track fromshifting as the lateral belt assembly travels along the track 1300. Thetrack 1300 may be equipped with grooves for receiving the track rollers1450 of each lateral belt section 1410.

With reference to FIG. 14, the lateral belt assembly 1400 includes aplurality of belt sections 1410 and means for securing the belt sections1410 to each other. Each belt section 1410 may include a platform 1415,a belt 1420, belt rollers 1430, a center drive 1440, a lateral belt linkcable clamp 1450, and a track roller 1460. The platform 1415 may begenerally rectangular and configured to provide structural support forthe operator. The lateral ends of the platform 1415 may be equipped withfreely-rotating belt rollers 1430, which may be secured to the ends ofthe platform 1415 via a pin connection, wherein the pin is insertedthrough a hole in the center of the roller 1430, and each end of the pinis secured to either side of the platform 1415. The platform 1415 mayfurther include a center drive 1430. The center drive may include aplurality of pulleys 1441 for enabling movement of the conveyor belt1420 in either direction. Additionally, the center drive 1430 may allowfor the length of the belt 1420 to be easily modified.

The belt 1420 may be stretched around a top side of the platform 1415and the belt rollers 1430, and through the center drive, as shown inFIG. 14b . The belt 1420 and rollers 1430 may be “V-Guide” for propertracking as illustrated in FIG. 14a . The platform 1415 may be furtherequipped with walls 1470 which may attach onto the elongated sides ofthe platform 1415 thus hiding and protecting the belt 1420.

The lateral belt link cable clamp 1450 may be secured to an underside ofthe platform 1415 at a position generally corresponding to the lateralbelt assembly circulation track 1300. Track rollers 1460 may be securedto one side of the clamp 1440 via a pin inserted through the center ofthe roller and secured to the clamp such that the roller 1450 can freelyrotate without falling off the end of the pin. Multiple clamps 1440 androllers 1450 may be provided per belt section 1410 as may be required bythe size of the exercise platform 1000. The rollers 1450 may beconfigured to fit within the grooves defined in the circulation track1300 such that the belt section 1410 can travel along the entirety ofthe track 1300 without falling off.

The belt sections 1410 may be linked together via a cable 1470 (FIG. 2),for example, to maintain consistent space between the belt sections 1410and to further prevent the individual sections 1410 from separating fromthe track 1300. Alternately, the belt sections 1410 may be unlinked, orindividual links may be provided between two belt sections 1410. Insteadof a cable, other means for attaching the belt sections 1410 may beprovided, such as a chain, belt, individual links, et cetera. FIG. 15illustrates a system 3000 incorporating the sensors 1500 and motors 1210of the current invention. The system 3000 may include an interface unit3004 and sensors 1500 in data communication over a network 3002. Theinterface unit 3004 may include a communication device 3005, a processor3008, an output device 3014, and non-transitory computer memory 3010having programming 3012.

The output device 3014 may be any appropriate device, whether nowexisting or later developed, for presenting data from the processor3008. In this case, the output device 3014 may be the motors 1210. Thecommunication device 3006 may be any device, whether now known or laterdeveloped, that allows the system 3000 to communicate with the network3002. For example, the communication device 3006 may be a switch,wireless router, wired modem, et cetera. The network 3002 may be theWorld Wide Web, a private or local network, or a cellular network, forexample.

The interface unit 3004 may be, for example, a computer or smart phoneassociated with a monitoring system that controls power to the motors1210. Alternately, the interface unit 3004 may be contained as a part ofthe motor 1210.

The sensors 1500, as described above, may be located on the verticalsupport members 1110 of the frame 1100. The sensors 1500 may include atransmitter 3018, a processor 3020, and non-transitory memory 3022having programming 3024. Optionally, the processor 3020, memory 3022,and programming 3024 may be separate from the sensor 1500.

Operation of the invention may be further understood by means of anexample. In use, an operator stands on the platform 1000 and begins tomove in whatever direction he wishes. The sensors 1500 determine thedirection and velocity of the operator's movements and may communicatethis information over the network to the interface unit 3004, which maybe contained within the motors 1210 as described above. Based on theinformation received, the processor causes the one or both of the motors1210 to begin to turn.

If the sensors 1500 determined that the operator is moving in adirection parallel to the track 1300, the drive roller gear motor 1210 ais engaged. The motor 1210 a turns the chain 1220, which is attached tothe sprockets 1243 as described above. The rotation of the sprockets1243 causes the wheel drive shaft 1245 to rotate, which turns the gears1249, resulting in rotation of the wheels 1248. The rotation of thewheels 1248 causes the individual belt units 1410 to rotate around thetrack 1300. In this scenario, the drive roller position gear motor 1210b is disengaged, because the drive wheels 1248 are positioned parallelto the track 1300. This is illustrated in FIG. 11.

If the sensors 1500 determine that the operator is moving perpendicularto the track 1300 (or movement of the operator has changed so that theoperator is moving perpendicular to the track), the movement of theoperator engages the belt 1420, causing the belt 1420 to rotate aroundthe belt rollers 1460. In this scenario, operation of the drive rollergear motor 1210 a and the drive roller position gear motor 1210 b isunnecessary because the movement of the belt 140 around the belt rollers1460 is sufficient to keep the operator centered on the platform 1000.

Finally, if the sensors 1500 determine that the operator is moving at anangle, the sensors 1500 determine the exact angle of movement, which iscommunicated to the drive roller gear motor 1210 a and the drive rollerposition gear motor 1210 b. The drive roller position gear motor 1210 bengages the shaft 1230 thus rotating the worm 1242 a. This turns theworm gear 1242 b, which turns the wheel position bushing 1244, thusrotating the position of the drive wheel 1248. The motor 1210 b rotatesthe shaft 1230 in an exact amount necessary to position the wheel 1248at an angle equal to the direction in which the operator is moving.Three different positions of the wheel 1248 are illustrated in FIGS.11-13.

At the same time, the sensors 1500 communicate to the drive roller gearmotor 1210 a causing rotation of the wheel 1248, thus causing thelateral belt assembly 1400 to rotate around the track 1300 as describedabove. Still at the same time, the belt 1420 rotates around the rollers1420. Therefore, movement in all three directions maintains the operatorin a central position atop the platform 1000.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present inventionhave been described with the intent to be illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisanmay develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed within the scope of the disclosure.Further, various steps set forth herein may be carried out in ordersthat differ from those set forth herein without departing from the scopeof the present methods. This description shall not be restricted to theabove embodiments.

1. A multi-directional exercise platform, comprising: a frame,comprising: a plurality of vertical support members; a horizontalsupport member secured between the vertical support members; and a trackstabilizer; a lateral belt drive assembly, comprising: at least onemotor; a drive roller chain; a drive roller position shaft incommunication with the at least one motor; and at least one drive rollerunit, each drive roller unit comprising: a drive frame; a worm gearassembly; a drive wheel chain drive sprocket; a wheel position bushing;a wheel position drive shaft; a drive position bushing; a drive wheel; ahousing for accommodating the drive wheel; and a plurality of gears foroperating the drive wheel; wherein the drive roller position shaft is incommunication with the worm gear assembly and the wheel position bushingsuch that operation of the at least one motor causes rotation of thedrive roller position shaft which engages the worm gear assembly causingrotation of the wheel position bushing, rotation of the wheel positionbushing causing rotation of the housing having the drive wheel; andwherein the drive roller chain is in communication with the drive wheelchain drive sprocket such that operation of the drive roller chaincauses the sprocket to rotate, rotation of the sprocket causing thewheel position drive shaft to rotate, rotation of the wheel positiondrive shaft causing rotation of the drive wheel via the plurality ofgears in the housing; a lateral belt circulation track secured to theframe via the track stabilizer; a lateral belt assembly comprising aplurality of lateral belt units, each lateral belt unit comprising: aspan; belt rollers secured to the lateral ends of the span; a centerdrive; a belt wound around the span, the belt rollers, and the centerdrive; a lateral belt link cable clamp; and a track roller forpositioning the lateral belt unit onto the track; and at least onesensor for determining direction and velocity of an operator's movement;wherein the lateral belt drive assembly operates to move the lateralbelt assembly around the lateral belt circulation track.
 2. The platformof claim 1, further comprising a processor in data communication withthe sensors and electronic instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, performs steps for: (a) receiving at least one signal fromthe sensor; (b) analyzing the at least one signal to determine thedirection of an operator's movement; and (c) upon identifying thedirection of an operator's movement, actuating the motor thereby causingrotation of the drive roller position shaft.
 3. The platform of claim 2,wherein the step of actuating the motor causes the drive wheel to rotatefrom a first position to a second position, wherein the second positionis consistent with the direction of the operator's movements.
 4. Theplatform of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first position and thesecond position of the drive wheel is at an angle less than 90° relativeto the lateral belt assembly circulation track.
 5. The platform of claim4, further comprising the steps of: (d) analyzing the at least onesignal to determine the velocity of the operator's movement; and (e)upon identifying the velocity of the operator's movement, modifying thespeed of the motor to match the velocity of the operator's movement. 6.The platform of claim 5, wherein movement of the operator at an anglerelative to the lateral belt assembly circulation track causes movementof: 1) the lateral belt assembly around the circulation track at a firstvelocity; and 2) the belt around the belt rollers of the span at asecond velocity; and wherein the first velocity and the second velocityare not equal and are selected to allow the operator to maintain aposition in a central area of the platform.
 7. The platform of claim 6,wherein the lateral belt assembly circulation track is generally ovularand has grooves for receiving the track roller.
 8. The platform of claim7, wherein the plurality of individual lateral belt units are linkedtogether via at least one of a cable, a belt, a chain, and links.
 9. Theplatform of claim 8, further comprising a second motor configured foroperation of the drive roller chain.
 10. The platform of claim 9,wherein the drive roller chain is wound around the wheel drive sprocketand the wheel drive idler sprocket of each of a plurality of driveroller units.
 11. The platform of claim 10, wherein the drive wheel ismade of a compressible urethane.
 12. An exercise system, comprising: amultidirectional exercise platform, comprising: a frame; a lateral beltassembly; a lateral belt circulation track; and a lateral belt driveassembly comprising a plurality of drive wheels; wherein: the lateralbelt assembly is movably secured to the belt circulation track, thelateral belt circulation track being supported by the frame; and thelateral belt drive assembly is configured to move the lateral beltassembly around the belt circulation track; at least one sensor; aprocessor in data communication with the at least one sensor; andelectronic instructions that, when executed by the processor, performssteps for: (a) receiving data from the at least one sensor; (b)analyzing the data to determine direction and speed of an operator'smovement; and (c) upon determining the direction and speed of theoperator's movement, actuating a motor configured to alter position ofthe drive wheels, speed of the motor being selected based on thedetermined speed of the operator's movement.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the lateral belt assembly comprises a plurality of lateral beltunits; each lateral belt unit having a generally rectangular span with afirst and second end, a belt roller attached to the first and secondends, a center drive, and a belt; wherein the belt is secured around thebelt rollers at the first and second ends and the center drive to allowthe belt to travel in either direction along the length of the span whenthe operator moves in a direction parallel to the lateral belt assembly.14. The system of claim 13, wherein movement of the operator in adirection perpendicular to the lateral belt assembly causes the lateralbelt drive assembly to move the lateral belt assembly around the beltcirculation track.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein movement of theoperator at an angle relative to the lateral belt assembly causesconcurrent movement of the lateral belt assembly around the beltcirculation track via the lateral belt drive assembly and the belt alongthe length of the span via the belt rollers.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the movement of the lateral belt assembly occurs at a firstvelocity and the movement of the belt along the length of the platformoccurs at a second velocity, wherein the first velocity and the secondvelocity are independent of one another and are configured to maintainthe operator at a position near a center of the exercise platform.
 17. Amulti-directional exercise platform, comprising: a frame; a lateral beltdrive assembly; a lateral belt assembly circulation track; a lateralbelt assembly; and at least one sensor configured to obtain directionand velocity data; wherein: the frame supports the lateral belt assemblycirculation track; the lateral belt assembly is movably secured to thelateral belt assembly circulation track; and the lateral belt driveassembly is configured to cause rotation of the lateral belt assemblyaround the lateral belt assembly circulation track.
 18. The platform ofclaim 17, wherein the lateral belt drive assembly comprises a pluralityof lateral belt drive units, each drive unit comprising a span with afirst and second end, each end having a belt roller attached thereto;wherein a belt is wound around the span and the belt rollers such thatmovement in a transverse direction on the span causes the belt to rotatearound the span via the belt rollers.
 19. The platform of claim 18,wherein the lateral belt drive assembly comprises a motor incommunication with a plurality of drive roller units; each drive rollerunit comprising a drive frame, a drive wheel, and a plurality of gearsfor operating the drive wheel; wherein the position of the drive wheelrelative to the lateral belt drive units is determined based on thedirection data.